Tim Scott Appointed To South Carolina Senate Seat

Governor Nikki Haley will appoint the Republican congressman and Tea Party favorite to replace Sen. Jim DeMint who resigned to take over the Heritage Foundation think tank.

According to MSNBC, DeMint favored Scott to take his place in the Senate.

The New York Times has more information on the breaking news of the Tim Scott Senate appointment:

“Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina has chosen Representative Tim Scott to replace Jim DeMint in the United States Senate, according to three Republican officials. The move will make Mr. Scott the first black senator from the South since the late 19th century.

“The governor will make the announcement at noon at the State House in Columbia. She began informing the roster of finalists on Monday morning about her decision to go with Mr. Scott, who was the preferred candidate of many conservative leaders and groups in Washington.”

” … Scott … has the kind of personal story that’s undoubtedly appealing to a party that’s trying to diversify its base: He worked his way out of poverty to become a successful small-business man, local politician and eventual congressman …

“At the crux of his conservative beliefs is the idea that capitalism and hard work can help the poor move up the economic ladder. And he tells that story at every opportunity.”

Tim Scott has represented South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the Charleston area since 2010, and it will likely stay in Republican hands.